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Nick Leeson was the rising star of Barings Bank on the Singapore Monetary Exchange (SIMEX) Futures Market in the early 90s. Known as the “Rogue Trader,” Leeson appeared to be generating millions for the bank, while actually incurring massive losses that eventually bankrupted Barings. After serving a prison sentence in Singapore and battling cancer, Leeson returned to the UK, where he served as CEO of Galway United Football Club until his resignation in 2011.
Nick Leeson began his career as a clerk at Coutts Bank in the mid-80s before joining Barings’ trading floor. Soon after, he was appointed operations manager in the Futures Market at SIMEX, where his London superiors trusted him, as he reported significant profits. Unbeknownst to them, Leeson acted as a rogue trader, hiding his mounting losses in a designated “88888” error account. As these losses grew, he requested additional funds to cover his position, creating a disastrous financial situation. Barings’ executives ultimately discovered the extent of the issue, and the 233-year-old bank declared bankruptcy.
In 1995, after attempting to escape prison by fleeing to Europe, he was arrested in Germany and extradited to Singapore, where he was sentenced to six and a half years. During this time, Leeson was diagnosed with colon cancer and divorced his wife. Upon his release in 1999, he returned to the UK, homeless and with no resources, and authored his first book, which was adapted into the movie *Rogue Trader*, starring Ewan McGregor. In 2001, Leeson obtained a Psychology degree, convinced of the role stress plays in health. In 2005, he published his second book, *Back from the Brink, Coping with Stress*, co-written with psychologist Ivan Tyrell. That same year, he joined Galway United Football Club as Commercial Manager and later became CEO, serving until 2011. Since then, Leeson has become a prolific speaker, sharing his story and insights worldwide.
Nick Leeson’s conferences are honest and insightful, as he uses his own “Rogue Trader” story as a foundation to examine the human factors in today’s financial scandals. Despite advancements in technology, human error and poor judgment remain central to major failures across sectors. Beyond discussing ethics, corporate responsibility, and risk management, Leeson delves into the impact of stress and mental health on personal well-being, bringing a human-centered approach to his presentations.
Nick Leeson explores the critical role of individual ethics and conduct in determining the success or failure of an organization. Sharing his own experiences, he demonstrates how individual actions, lack of control, and poor judgment can lead to financial catastrophe. An essential talk on the importance of values in business.
Drawing from his experience in financial markets, Leeson examines the failures in control systems and lack of transparency that led to the downfall of Barings Bank. He highlights the need for effective risk management, clear oversight, and transparency to prevent future scandals in finance and other sectors.
Leeson discusses the relevance of organizational culture and corporate responsibility in a company’s sustainability. He emphasizes how strong values and ethical leadership can prevent crises, stressing the importance of building a solid foundation of good practices across all areas of an organization.
Dedicated to mental health awareness, Leeson examines how stress affects health and performance. Inspired by his psychology studies and personal experiences, he shares tools for stress management and wellbeing, increasingly crucial topics in today’s organizations.
If you’re looking for an impactful and reflective talk on ethics, risk management, or organizational wellbeing, you can book Nick Leeson through Thinking Heads. As a leading figure in organizational culture and corporate governance, Nick offers a unique perspective on how human error and stress impact every business. Contact Thinking Heads today for more information and to secure his participation in your next event.
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© Thinking Heads, 2025
MADRID
+(34) 91 310 77 40
+(34) 91 310 77 40
MIAMI
+1 (305) 424 13 20
SEOUL
+(34) 91 310 77 40